Fast Facts

A stunning chassis-off restoration completed over ten years between 2006 and 2016 by trusted Sydney MG experts, with specification inspired by the famous Le Mans EX182 works cars

A highly developed 1,680cc engine built from its original MGA block with a ported and shaved modified MGB head, equipped with flat top hand forged alloy pistons and twin SU carburettors amongst a very long list of very nice parts

Sold from a four-year ownership with receipts and photographs from the complete restoration and a well documented service history

The details:

This stunning 1960 MGA 1600, car number 8/91846/863, was built up as a tribute to the four original EX182 Le Mans works cars that earned great success in the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans and introduced the MGA to the world.

It originally arrived in Australia as one of a batch of 12 CKD MGA 1600 kits and was assembled by Pressed Metal Corporation in Sydney on behalf of BMC Australia. The convoluted model number you see above provides some information about the car:

• 8 was the BMC Australia code for the 1960 model year

• 91846 is the UK-assigned chassis number

• 863 is the Australian build number which places the car as the 363rd Australian-assembled MGA 1600

The original engine number is unknown, but the seller understands that would have been in the order of 16GAUH/23xxx. The MGA was originally finished in Nurburg White with red trim

It remained in factory specification until around mid 2006, when a rebuild that would take a full decade to complete at a cost of over $160,000 brought it close to, and sometimes exceeding, the specification of those original works EX182s in their debut trim.

The mechanical work was completed by Sydney Vintage Restorations and the bodywork by Greg Keenan, an MGA body specialist. Receipts for the full restoration as well as photo documentation are available.

‘Ollie’, as the car is affectionately known, was refinished in Hawthorn Green over a stunning tan leather interior. While the presentation is undoubtedly head turning, the real magic lies within.

The motor is built around a 1,680 cc swept volume straight-four MGA block, with flat top hand forged alloy pistons featuring hand made gudgeons and a Ross harmonic balancer. The head is from an MGB and has been ported, shaved and further developed. Modified MGB extractors have been fit alongside twin SU carburettors.

The flywheel was machined down to just 12 lb and an Tighe ace camshaft installed. Other equipment includes roller rockers, a BMC diesel lightened and balanced crankshaft, modified Volvo clutch and MGB 3.9:1 differential.

This engine revs to 6,000, with shifting handled by a special close ratio gearbox. The team who built her believe Ollie to be the fastest non-supercharged original block MGA in Australia, and report that she’s a joy to drive.

There are just 4,900 miles on the new engine and recent compression tests are reported to have shown 175 in each pot and the bearings in excellent shape. A service was carried out in June of 2025 at 4,100 miles. New tyres have recently been fit.

‘Ollie’, this 1960 MGA 1600, represents an incredible opportunity to jump into a beautifully developed and presented example of the beloved British sporting classic, benefitting from not only the financial investment she required to get here, but the decade of effort by expert craftsmen and patient, passionate custodians. A true highlight of our February collection.

Descriptions and information are supplied by the seller or owner of the vehicle and are believed to be accurate and not misleading to the best of their knowledge. Prospective buyers are required to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and independent verification is strongly recommended.

Vehicles listed on retrorides.com.au & rrauctions.com.au may have undergone cosmetic or bodywork repairs that are not visually discernible. Photographs may not precisely represent the colour or condition; therefore, buyers should directly confirm key specifications. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, it must be assumed that any vehicle registration plates are excluded from the sale of a car or motorcycle.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for this vehicle has been verified against the Australian Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), at the time of listing the vehicle, and no security interest or other encumbrance is recorded against the serial number. Furthermore, this vehicle has been checked via the Austroads National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS), and there are no markers present within the written-off or stolen vehicle databases.

Access to and use of data provided through the PPSR is subject to the PPSR terms of use and applicable third party data conditions.

To the extent permitted by law, all data provided through the PPSR is made available without any representation or warranty of any kind (without limitation in respect to accuracy) and the Commonwealth, and third party data providers (which includes Austroads Ltd (ABN 16 245 787 323) and any person mentioned in the third party data conditions as providing information through the PPSR), have no liability to you in respect of any loss or damage that you might suffer no matter how arising (including negligence) that is directly or indirectly related to the NEVDIS data.